Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Its major components include a basketball-shaped shoe deodorizer and four bamboo skewers.

Construction:
While cleanin' up t' basement, I ran across an old shoe deodorizer that looked like a basketball. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, arrr, however, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, matey, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, matey, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. Avast! These can be seen in t' first photograph. For t' motor mount, arrr, shiver me timbers, I drilled a 6mm hole, ya bilge rat, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Ya scallywag! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Well, blow me down! Begad! Thus, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Well, blow me down! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Ya scallywag! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Arrr!

Flight:
Although I test-fit t' rocket on t' launcher, shiver me timbers, I needed t' elevate the launcher slightly on t' grass at t' launch site. Arrr! I flew t' Micro Slam Dunk three times. Each flight rose t' a mere 20 feet or so. Avast, me proud beauty! Nay an impressive altitude but it was fun t' watch. Arrr! On t' first two flights, arrr, shiver me timbers, t' two halves did not separate and t' motor ejected with a loud pop. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! For t' third try, shiver me timbers, I loosened t' halves t' they were barely connected, ya bilge rat, arrr, and separation did occur. After all three flights, it landed back on its legs.

Summary:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is yet another easy t' build Micro-Maxx rocket. It is a bit heavy but is still stable and ejects well before landing. Blimey! Avast! Before it flies again, I will work on loosenin' up t' two halves so it will separate when the two halves are completely together.